• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

NBA Season Primer: Celtics Sale, TNT’s Last Dance in Forefront

  • The 2024–2025 NBA season tips off Tuesday with a doubleheader on TNT.
  • Top stories include the Celtics balancing repeat championship aspirations with a prospective sale, and what could be the final year of Inside the NBA.
Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

October is arguably the month of sports—but with the NFL and college football in full swing, MLB’s two biggest teams facing off in the World Series, the NHL’s opening weeks, and the rise of the WNBA, the NBA season, which tips off Tuesday night, seems to have crept up on the calendar.

Basketball had an extended run in fans’ consciousness after last season as the Olympics came just a month after the Celtics won banner No. 18. But the rest of the offseason has been relatively quiet for the league, outside of a shocking Karl-Anthony Towns trade last month. Unlike last season, there was no extended Damian Lillard–esque saga.

The NBA still boasts quite a few compelling storylines entering this season, best summarized by the aforementioned defending champions.

A Complicated Quest to Repeat

The Celtics are the favorites to repeat as champions—and if they pull it off, they would be the first since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018 to win two in a row. 

While Boston isn’t perceived to be an unbeatable juggernaut, a favorite winning consecutive titles would be a counterpoint to the league’s last two collective bargaining agreements, which kicked in during the 2017–2018 and 2023–2024 seasons, respectively, and were designed to bring greater parity to the NBA.

But the Celtics have approached roster construction without much consideration of the penalties that come with passing the luxury tax and second apron, which are thresholds above the league’s soft salary cap. Those penalties include limitations to making trades and signing free agents, and come with financial penalties—which is why the franchise has a projected payroll north of $500 million for the 2025–2026 season.

Championship contenders like the Timberwolves and Nuggets have taken a more defensive approach to the CBA rules, and they have lost key players to try to cut their payroll.

Boston’s growing bill is reportedly a key reason why team owner Wyc Grousbeck and his father put the team up for sale soon after winning the title. The team’s goal is to finalize the sale within the next two years, though Grousbeck will stay in charge until 2028.

Other Key Storylines

League expansion: The Celtics sale may impact league growth as the franchise sale price could reset the market price for expansion fees. Commissioner Adam Silver has teased the league’s desire to add teams, which would be its first since 2004, and cities like Las Vegas and Seattle are the leading candidates to receive teams.

TNT Sports’ last dance: The NBA agreed to a new media-rights deal in July with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Amazon, but left out Warner Bros. Discovery. While there is ongoing litigation between WBD and the NBA, the new deal leaves just one more year left for the NBA on TNT. This could mean a final run for the iconic studio show, Inside the NBA.

In-season tournament 2.0: It’s Year 2 for the regular-season tournament—now branded as the Emirates NBA Cup. The format is similar to last year’s, with each player on the winning team earning $500,000. How players approach IST games—and whether fans will pay more attention—will be worth watching, especially as many were confused about last year’s format.

Wemby watch and Flagg bearing: Victor Wembanyama will continue to garner a ton of attention this year as the French phenom enters his second season with high expectations following a run to the silver medal in the Paris Olympics. But there will also be an eye on the slew of teams at the bottom of the standings hoping for the best chance at Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the best U.S. prospect since fellow Blue Devils alum Zion Williamson—and maybe as far back as Kentucky’s Anthony Davis.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

RAJ Sports Withdraws Lawsuit Over Trail Blazers Stake

RAJ Sports had sued the Cherng family, owners of Panda Express.

Browns, Cleveland Reach $100M Deal to Clear Team’s Move to Suburbs

The surprise truce includes financial payments and the dismissal of lawsuits.

Penn State Could Owe James Franklin Very Little of Buyout

FOS has reviewed Franklin’s 2021 contract extension.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
October 10, 2025

Aces Win WNBA Title, Starting Offseason of Uncertainty

The Aces won their third trophy in four years.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion
October 12, 2025

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Athlos
October 10, 2025

Track Start-Up Athlos Makes ‘Millions’ but No Profit Yet

Alexis Ohanian called being profitable by the 2028 Olympics a “great goal.”
Cheryl Reeve
October 10, 2025

WNBA Officiating Task Force Still Taking Shape After Outcry

How refs are trained and instructed was a major issue this year.
Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to International Basketball Federation board member Mark Tatum in the fourth quarter between the United States and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
October 9, 2025

NBA Aims for Drama-Free Return to China After 6-Year Hiatus

The league looks to rebuild its presence in the populous country.
Bad Bunny performs on stage for his “Most Wanted Tour” at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 11, 2024.
October 9, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA to Run Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show

Group announces “The All-American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8.